OUR HISTORY     ("28 Years")
 

Morning Star * Missionary Baptist Church 1983 - 2011

 

April 16, 1983, seventeen (17) individuals met at the tabernacle to organize a Church. Namely: Rev. Isaiah and Jackie Thomas, Bro. Kermit and Genella Scott, Bro. William and Josephine Harrison, Sr., Bro James Cash, Sis. Lois Gooden, Bro. Marion and Oletha Johnson,

Sr., Bro. Lawrence Nutall, Sis. Johnnie Mae Koontz, Sis. Dorothy Smith Scott, Sis Dealie Mae Jennings, Bro Lee and Willie Mae Nowlin, and Sis. Aline McDade, The Church was named, "Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Inc."

Rev. R.O. Waters Jr. prayed along with Rev.

Overstreet and Rev. Isaiah Thomas about the land Morning Star is erected on now. The first Pastor Rev. Isaiah Thomas was elected. Three Deacons , Deacon William Harrison, Sr., Deacon Marion Johnson, Sr. and Deacon Lee Nowlin. Other officers were, Church

Clerk, Sis. Dorothy Smith Scott, Choir President, Sis. Ruby Carter, Mission President, Sis. Bessie Harris Watson, Teacher. Sis. Genella Scott, Usher President, Bro. Searcy Toliver, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Deacon Marion Johnson, Sr., Secretary, Sis. Oletha Johnson. Under the leadership of Rev. Isaiah Thomas, Morning Star was blessed with a son in the ministry, Rev. John Edward Burrell. He preached his first sermon on Easter Sunday, March 1984. After serving the flock for almost three years, Rev Thomas resigned as pastor on February 12, 1986, titled. "Looking to Jesus." On May 25, 1987, the Church elected Rev. Lonzell and Sis. Shirley Payton, as Pastor and First Lady. Under the leadership of Rev. Payton, Morning Star was blessed with a son in the ministry, Rev. Terry Lewis.

Rev. John Burrell was the third pastor of Morning Star.

On May 16, 1994 11:00 O'clock AM there was a "Ground Breaking Ceremony" for the new church with Pastor Burrell, the members, the Mayor of Bryan, Mr. Marvin Tate, Rev. D.N. Jones and a host of friends. Our edifice was dedicated to the glory of God on May 7, 1995. Blessings of God continued to flow. Rev Terry Lewis was ordained May 28, 1995. On June 18, 1995, a cornerstone service was held at the Church.

 

                 Morning Star Day Care Center was opened on December 2, 1995. It was a Christian Ministry. The Director was Sis. Lillian Parker. The first graduation was May 29, 1996. Under the leadership of Rev. Burrell, God blessed Morning Star with two more sons in the ministry Rev. Archie Newton, Rev. Steve Williford and one daughter, Rev Dr. Laura Burrell. Rev. Williford preached his first sermon on February 22, 1998. Rev. Newton preached his first sermon on March 22, 1998. Rev. Dr. Laura Burrell preached he first sermon on February 22,

1999.

In July of 1999 the church joined the Old Landmark Association. Also in 1999, Sis Gloria Kennard donated scrubs and trees to the church through a friend of hers, Bro Bob Ruth. After serving the flock for seven years and nine months, Rev. Burrell resigned as Pastor of Morning Star. January 5, 2000.

 

                      On April 12, 2000, the church elected Elder Hershel and Othella Goodman as Pastor and First Lady. Pastor Goodman preached his first sermon as our Pastor on April 30, 2000. Pastor Goodman is well qualified to lead God's people. He has excellent organizational and

communication skills. He attended Sawyer Business College and received a AA Degree in Business Administration. He attended L. A. Bible College and Reed's Bible College and received an AA Degree in Theology. Before moving to Texas, He was self-employed for 29

years as owner of "Goodman's Auto Service Center." (2)

All of these qualifications are good, but most of all he is a born again Christian. He had been a Pastor for six years in California and four years at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in College Station, Texas.

Under the leadership of Elder Goodman, the Lord has blessed us with an Associate Minister, Rev. Fred Dunn. In the year 2000 and 2001 fifty three new members joined Morning Star. Nine were candidates for baptism. Elder Goodman organized a Mothers Board. Sis. Josephine Harrison was appointed as Mother of the Church by Elder Goodman.

On May 7, 2000, Morning Star was blessed with a second musician, Sis. Jean Ross, a choir director, Sis. Vivian Molesby. Our Deacons were Bro. J.C. Gooden, Bro. Lawrence Nutall, Bro. Eddie Marshall, Bro. Charles Thurman, Bro. Searcy Toliver, Bro. Elmer Davis, Bro.

Alex Davis.

The Day Care Board of Trustees are: Br. Charles Thurman - Coordinator, Bro. J.C.

Gooden, Bro Eddie Marshall, Bro. Searcy Toliver, Bro. Lawrence Nutall, Sis. Darlyne Paul, Secretary, Sis. Carolyn Davis, Bookkeeper, Sis. Lillian Parker, Director. The Food Committee: Sis. Rosie Marshall, Sis. Dorothy Lewis, Sis. Cubic Smith, Sis. Charlotte Manley, Sis. Gloria Kennard, Sis. Josephine Harrison.

Elder Hershel organized (BTU) Baptist Training Union. Rev. Johnny Jackson united with Morning Star Baptist Church. Rev. Jessie Lott announced his calling and preached his first sermon February 2, 2002. April 8, 2002, Morning Star Day Care has a new director, Sis. Tinnie Shirley. Under the leadership of Elder Goodman a Junior Deacon Board was organized. The Jr. Deacons are:

Sheldon Wallace, J.C. Green, and Hyron Harrison.

October 2003, the Lord blessed our church with another deacon, Deacon Sylvester Singleton for which we are truly grateful for all the willing workers that the Lord is sending our way. November 2003 God blessed us with another member and musician, Jean Ross.

In 2005, Morning Star Day Care has a new Director was named, Cene' Lott. Morning Star Day Care was permanently closed February 25, 2005.

In 2005, Morning Star Baptist Church joined the "Greater Friendship District Association". Pastor, Elder Hershel Goodman is the Third Vice-Moderator. 2010

 

In 2013, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church elected Pastor Anthony D. Hill and Shelia Hill, the First Lady, as their new Pastor.The Deacon Board: Bro. Lawrence Nutall,

Bro. Eddie Marshall, Bro. Robert Marshall, Bro. Norris Lowery. 

 

 

We as a church family are truly blessed, and the word of God says in, John 12:32, "And

I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

To God Be the Glory!